Julie Bishop says Australia's intelligence sharing with the US is at the core of the relationship.

AFP: Brendan Smialowski

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop used a major speech in Washington to defend Australia's joint intelligence operations with the United States and criticise American whistleblower Edward Snowden for his "treachery".

Sandwiched between meetings with US vice-president Joe Biden and top security officials, Ms Bishop delivered the keynote address to the Alliance 21 conference, organised by the US Studies Centre.

Before an audience of American and Australian business and trade leaders and former senior ministers, she made it clear what she thought of Snowden, the former US intelligence analyst.

He "continues to shamefully betray his nation while skulking in Russia", Ms Bishop said.

"This represents unprecedented treachery. He is no hero.

"I am surprised that any responsible entity or organisation or people could label him as some kind of hero.